Scuba Diver Australasia + Ocean Planet
DAN Helps You Safely Return to Diving
For more than a year, DAN Medical Services, DAN Safety Services and DAN Research have been gathering, analysing and publishing information about COVID-19 and diving. In the past few months, we have also focused on the risks associated with prolonged breaks from diving
As the situation evolves, it can be challenging for divers to find accurate and up-to-date information, but DAN’s experts are staying informed and working to make reliable knowledge available to you.
We are standing by to answer questions and provide recommendations for all divers who plan to return to the water after a period of inactivity. After being away from diving, comprehensive awareness of your situation and careful preparation will be crucial for reducing incidents. As you get back to diving, you may have questions about your health, gear and more, so know that DAN is available to provide advice tailored to your unique situation.
There are many unknowns about COVID-19, but DAN Medical Services can provide guidance about returning to diving after COVID-19 infection and offer referrals and doctor-to-doctor consultations. We can also give practical advice about diving and COVID-19 vaccinations, getting medical clearance and other considerations for getting back underwater.
Although we have seen progress in understanding diving after experiencing COVID-19, there are still some unknowns about how it may affect a diver’s abilities. DAN Research has evaluated the lasting effects of COVID-19 on divers with an ongoing study that specifically tracks the illness’s pulmonary ramifications.
When the pandemic began, DAN set to work determining the virus’s implications not only for diving but also for providing CPR, operating dive shops, teaching first aid, disinfecting equipment and more. Newly created and consistently updated resources available at www.DAN.org/Health-Medicine/Covid-19 help dive operators navigate through the return process.
Our online outreach has become an invaluable tool for DAN departments to share their work and findings with divers, dive operators, medical professionals and others. We are adding new resources to
www.DAN.org all the time. You can also contact us if you have any questions we don’t cover in these online resources.
If you’re a dive operator, don’t hesitate to contact DAN Safety Services at
RiskMitigation@DAN.org to ask your questions about safe operations.
Our researchers constantly seek new information about best practices and consider the realities of a dive business having to adapt to new challenges.
Much of DAN’s strength lies in the expertise of our staff. Our researchers, medics and safety professionals elevate our capability to field questions companywide. Our departments are strongest when working together to achieve the common goal of making diving safer.
This internal collaboration helped us launch the new Return to Diving guide, which is full of simple steps and considerations to help you safely get back in the water. The free guide provides you with the tools and resources you need to assess your health and fitness, refresh your skills and examine your equipment before your next dives. Divers will also find information about health, safety and testing requirements and learn what measures dive operators are employing to keep customers safe. Created by dive medicine specialists, researchers and scientists, the guide is backed by the commitment to dive safety you’ve come to expect from DAN. It is available at www.DAN.org/Return-to-Diving-Safely.
As you dust off your gear, refresh your skills and assess your health, be sure to contact DAN with any questions. We’re here for you.
Bill Ziefle is President and CEO of Divers Alert Network (DAN). Ziefle first became associated with DAN in 1989 and served for 11 years as a volunteer before joining the board of directors. He has served as a director of various DAN affiliates including DAN, The DAN Foundation (Director Emeritus), IDAN, DAN Services, Accident and General Insurance Company and DAN Risk Retention Group. Over the years, he has provided legal counsel and fundraising support to several prominent ocean conservation organisations: Ships to Reef, American Academy of Underwater Sciences, National Marine Sanctuaries and Ocean Futures Society.
HOW TO CONTACT DAN
DAN World Asia-Pacific Membership Team
+61 3 9886 9166 (Mon–Fri 9am to 5pm AEST) | Email: infoap@DAN.org
Medical Information (Non-emergency)
Email: Medic@DAN.org
DAN Emergency Hotline (24/7)
+1 (919) 684 9111 International | 1800 088 200 within Australia